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To lower the spare tire from the vehicle:
1. Attach the wheel
wrench and ratchet,
with the DOWN side
facing you. The
wheel wrench has a
socket end and a flat
chisel end. Note that
there is an UP side
and a DOWN side on
the ratchet.
2. Put the flat chisel end of the wheel wrench
on an angle through the hole between the
body and the bumper. Be sure the flat
end connects into the hoist shaft.3. Turn the ratchet counterclockwise to lower the
spare tire to the ground. If the spare tire does
not lower to the ground, the secondary
latch is engaged causing the tire not to lower.
SeeSecondary Latch System on page 377.
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4. When the tire has been lowered, pull the tire
toward you so you can reach the tire retainer
and pull it up through the wheel opening.
If you have a vehicle which was completed from
a cab and chassis, refer to the information from
the body supplier/installer.
The spare tire is a full-size tire, like the other tires
on your vehicle.
Removing the Flat Tire and
Installing the Spare Tire
If your vehicle has plastic wheel nut caps,
loosen them by turning the wheel wrench
counterclockwise. The wheel nut caps are
designed to remain with the center cap.
Remove the center cap.
If the wheel has a smooth center piece, place
the chisel end of the wheel wrench in the slot
on the wheel and gently pry it out.
1. Do a safety check before proceeding.
SeeChanging a Flat Tire on page 366
for more information.
2. With the DOWN side facing you, use the
ratchet and wheel wrench to loosen all the
wheel nuts. Do not remove them yet.
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3. Assemble the jack and tools:
Front Flat:Assemble the jack (A) together
with the jack handle (B) and ratchet (C)
as shown. Be sure that the ratchet has the
UP mark facing you.Rear Flat:Assemble the jack (A) together
with the jack handle (B), jack handle
extension (C) and ratchet (D) as shown.
Front Position
Rear Position
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Be sure that the ratchet has the UP mark
facing you. To assemble the jack handle
and jack handle extension, use the art and
text following.
Connect the jack handle (B) and jack handle
extension (C) together and press the
retention clip (arrow) so it engages.4. Position the jack
under the vehicle
as shown.
Front Position
Rear Position
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{CAUTION:
Getting under a vehicle when it is jacked
up is dangerous. If the vehicle slips off
the jack you could be badly injured or
killed. Never get under a vehicle when
it is supported only by a jack.
{CAUTION:
Raising your vehicle with the jack
improperly positioned can damage the
vehicle and even make the vehicle fall.
To help avoid personal injury and vehicle
damage, be sure to t the jack lift head
into the proper location before raising
the vehicle.5. Raise the vehicle by turning the ratchet
clockwise. Make sure the UP mark faces you.
Raise the vehicle far enough off the ground
so there is enough room for the spare
tire to fit.
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6. Remove all the
wheel nuts.
7. Take flat tire off of the mounting surface.
{CAUTION:
Rust or dirt on the wheel, or on the parts
to which it is fastened, can make the
wheel nuts become loose after time.
The wheel could come off and cause an
accident. When changing a wheel, remove
any rust or dirt from the places where
the wheel attaches to the vehicle. In an
emergency, a cloth or a paper towel can
be used to do this; but be sure to use a
scraper or wire brush later, if needed,
to get all the rust or dirt off.
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8. Remove any rust or
dirt from the wheel
bolts, mounting
surfaces and
spare wheel.
{CAUTION:
Never use oil or grease on studs or nuts.
Because the nuts might come loose.
The vehicle’s wheel could fall off, causing
a serious accident.9. Put the wheel nuts
back on with the
rounded end of
the nuts toward
the wheel. Tighten
each wheel nut
by hand until
the wheel is held
against the hub.
10. Lower the vehicle by turning the jack handle
counterclockwise. Lower the jack completely.
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{CAUTION:
Incorrect wheel nuts or improperly
tightened wheel nuts can cause the wheel
to come loose and even come off. This
could lead to an accident. Be sure to use
the correct wheel nuts. If you have to
replace them, be sure to get new GM
original equipment wheel nuts. Stop
somewhere as soon as you can and have
the nuts tightened with a torque wrench
to the proper torque speci cation. See
Capacities and Specifications on page 398
for wheel nut torque speci cation.
Notice:Improperly tightened wheel nuts can
lead to brake pulsation and rotor damage.
To avoid expensive brake repairs, evenly
tighten the wheel nuts in the proper sequence
and to the proper torque speci cation. See
Capacities and Specifications on page 398
for the wheel nut torque speci cation.11. Use the wheel wrench to tighten the nuts
firmly. Turn the wheel wrench clockwise
and in a crisscross sequence as shown.
12. Put the wheel cover or the center cap and
plastic wheel nut caps back on. Remove
any wheel blocks.
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